Ecotourism and its impact in Gunung Gading National Parks in SarawakLim Jia YangPlant Resource Science and ManagementDepartment of Plant Science and environmental ecologyFaculty of Resource Science and TechnologyUniversity of Malaysia Sarawak03/05/2014SUMMARY OF CONTENTSSummary……………………………………………………………………… 11.0 Research Background1. 1 Introduction1.2 Problem statement1.3 Objective2.0 Literature review2. 1 Concept of Ecotourism2.2 Impacts of Ecotourism2.2.1 Environmental Impacts2.2.2 Economic Impacts2.2.3 Socio-cultural Impacts3.0 Methodology3.1 Study Area3.2 Research Methods3.2.1 Qualitative Methods3.2.2 Questionnaire-Based Surveys4. 0 Expected results5.0 Work schedule6 .0 References1.0 Research background1.1 IntroductionThere is growing concern about the need for conservation and the well-being of our environment has become an integral part of the public view. A corresponding upsurge in tourism worldwide, leading to this phenomenon, is occurring and is called "mass tourism" (Krippendorf, 1987). Along with this unprecedented growth of mass tourism as a user of mother nature, concerns have been expressed about the relationship between the natural environment and tourism activities (Hunter and Green, 1995). Therefore, ecotourism is becoming one of the rapidly growing tourism industries in this era. Weaver (2008) stated that the term ecotourism was unknown in the English language until the mid-1980s. At the start of the 21st century, this type of recreational activity involves the appreciation and observation of wildlife and natural environment. This aims to minimize ecological impact...... middle of article...... status report and conceptual framework, Journal of Tourism Studies, 5 (2), 24-35. Dixon, J. & Sherman, P . (1990). Economics of protected areas: a new look at benefits and costs. Washington, DC: Island Press. Jules, S. (2005). Sustainable tourism in Saint Lucia: assessing the sustainability of trade and liberalization of tourism services. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development. Lindberg, K. (1998). Economic aspects of ecotourism. In K. Lindberg, M. Eplerwood, and D. Engeldrum (Eds.), Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Managers, 2, 87-117. Sarawak Forestry Cooperation. (2006). Gunung Gading National Park. Retrieved May 1, 2014 from http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-gading.html. Knudson, DM, Cable, TT and Beck, L. (1999). Interpretation of cultural and natural resources. Cato Avenue, State College, PA 16801: Venture Publishing. Inc..